Raising a teen? Here's some advice from the book "How to Survive Your Teenager" (Hundreds of Heads Books, http://, $13.95), straight from people who've done it:
"It's important to model healthy behavior for kids. For example, I see so many mothers who are obsessed with their weight, not because of health concerns, but because they are striving to achieve some unrealistic, culturally imposed ideal. I've heard mothers tell their daughters that a key to their popularity -- especially with the boys -- is dependent on their being thin enough. Instead, show your daughters that you are happy with who you are, you take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, and don't strive to emulate the airbrushed, perfected images portrayed in the media. Praise your daughters for who they are, not what they look like. Teach them that taking pride in their appearance is important, but being defined by it is a path to unhappiness."
_Anonymous, Chicago, parent of a daughter, 12
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"This is what i've learned so far:
1. Let them sleep. Teenagers need more sleep than children do!
2. Hug them. Not necessarily in front of their friends, but every chance you get, hug your teens and pre-teens and tell them that you love them.
3. Praise them. They like hearing it from you."
_Graciela Sholander, Fort Collins, Colo., mother of a daughter,12, and son, 10
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"With your first teenager, you are always so serious. By the time you get down to the third one, you say, 'No big deal.' Your poor first kid; in spite of you, he survived."
_Janet Vallone, Waymart, Pa., mother of three sons, 34, 31 and 27
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Hundreds of Heads Books' survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life's biggest challenges and have insight to share. Visit http:// to share your advice or get more information.
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(c) 2009, Hundreds of Heads Books, Inc.
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